English

Basic Guide
www.studyinjapan.go.jp

Published: April, 2020. Not for sale. All rights reserved.

 What kind of place is Japan? Japan is full of charm
and is sure to bring you closer to achieving your dreams.

Japanese Financial contribution

Why Study in Japan?
Nobel Prize winners to the UN
Sado Tea Ceremony
In Japan, traditional
culture, such as sado,
kabuki, and budo coexist
with pop culture like
manga and anime.
Three Gassho-style houses with steep thatched roofs.
(Shirakawago) ©Koichi_Hayakawa
Japan has many
mountains and is
surrounded by oceans,
so you can enjoy the
dramatic changes in

rd
the natural scenery
through spring,
summer, fall, and
winter.

International students studying in Japan Gross national income

approx.

rd
Yahiko-jinja Shrine Sumo Ring ©Yahikomura Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda) ©Fujiyoshida City

Japanese universities Number of World Cultural

in top 1,000 of QS World industrial robots
University Rankings 2020 in operation and Natural Heritage sites Tokyo Station ©Mitsunori Egawa Sushi

nd

Number of
Global Peace Index Average life expectancy
exported automobiles
Japan is an economically Washoku, the
rich country with one of traditional dietary
the lowest crime rates in culture of the
the world. International Japanese, is
students can relax and designated as an
focus on their studies. intangible cultural

st
heritage by UNESCO,

th nd comprised of
healthy and colorful
ingredients selected
The Shinkansen Bullet Train based on the season. Ramen Noodles
It is receiving a lot of
References: • Kids Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Various World Knowledge Ranking (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/kids/ranking/index.html) attention worldwide.
• Global Peace Index 2019
• UNESCO World Heritage List (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/)
• The Summary of Result on an Annual Survey of International Students in Japan 2018 (JASSO) All photos are published with consent under a Creative Commons license (Attribution 4.0 International) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
2 3
 Before coming to Japan to study, you must make some preparations!
Let’s look into Japan’s education and examination system and make plans.

Higher Education in Japan 7 Steps to Study in Japan

Education System START Joining a university or professional training college as a regular student
School Search
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/search-school/
Years of study

STEP

Gather information Check necessary language skills and costs

Research & Study Practical Skills & Experience
Age

27
9 STEP <12 months before>

8
Graduate School (PhD) Choose a school Send for school information and application forms
Japanese or Confirm admission requirements and examinations
English [Doctor’s Degree]
7 I want to learn the
skills directly related
Higher Education

I want to study to work! STEP

6 Graduate School (Master’s) Take the required test
Japanese or
so that I can start
work soon!
Take the Test JLPT, EJU, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, IB, etc.
5 English [Master’s Degree]
D
4 Advanced
C Professional Course STEP <6~9 months before>
3 University (Undergraduate) Training [Bachelor’s Degree] Apply Send necessary documents to school
Japanese or Junior College College Pay application fee
English [Bachelor’s Degree] [Diploma or Japanese Language
2 [Associate’s
Advanced Educational Institution /
Degree]
Diploma] University Preparatory
1 Course STEP
18 After passing the document screening,
A B
E Take the entrance exam have an interview and take the entrance exam

I studied in English
I want to study my
subject of interest
through to high school, College of ★ I want to enter university STEP
so I want to study in Technology
from the foundation after learning Japanese!  eceive permission to enroll
R
to the practical level.
English at university
as well!
[Associate’s ★ I studied for 11 years in Entry process Pay tuition fees
Degree] my country. I want to
study in the university
preparatory course
for one year and then
STEP
progress to university.
 pply for visa
A
18
12
Travel preparations Purchase flight ticket and insurance
High School
Secondary Education

10
15
G OAL
Elementary /

9 F
Junior High School I want to start
7 learning advanced
15 theories and practical
6 skills as early as About the EJU
Elementary School possible!
1
6 Examination for Japanese University Admission for • Schedule
Years of
study
Age

International Students (EJU) Held twice a year (June and November)

Notes: Years of study for each educational institution vary by department and course.
Degree or title is displayed in brackets [ ]. A test to determine if students possess the Japanese language skills and basic • Location
academic abilities necessary to study at Japanese universities and other such Held in 14 countries and regions
higher educational institutions. around the world!

• Higher education in Japan begins after six years of elementary, three years of junior high, and three years of ★ More than 50% of Japanese universities (90% of national universities) use EJU
test results when screening applicants
high school (total 12 years).
• International students wishing to enter Japanese higher education must complete 12 years of formal ★ Results are valid for two years
EJU
education. ★ Applicants with excellent EJU results are promised Monbukagakusho Honors https://www.jasso.go.jp/
• Those with less than 12 years of formal education must first complete a one or two year university Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students (p.7) ryugaku/study_j/eju/
index.html
preparatory course before entering higher education. ★ Test can be taken multiple times

4 5
 Let’s calculate the expenses for studying in Japan.
What are your expenditures? Will you receive a scholarship?
A financial plan with a little slack is essential!
Scholarships
https://www.
studyinjapan.go.jp/
Tuition & Living Expenses Scholarships & Financial Aid en/planning/
about-scholarship/

Tuition Fees
Method 1 Apply for the scholarships granted by the Japanese Government
* Amounts may vary by level. ** Amount for Japanese language school students
• Approximate tuition fees for one year
Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship Student Exchange Support Program
MEXT Scholarship for Privately-Financed International (Scholarship for Short-term Study in
Students Japan)

500,000 yen 1,300,000 yen Amount of

From 117,000 yen* 48,000 yen or 30,000 yen** 80,000 yen
monthly support

Tuition fee exemption

Notes: Excluding medical, dental and
pharmaceutical departments.
For the first year, additional fees for entry
and other things must be paid separately.
Reference: •Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Survey of Fees and
Contributions for Students on Private Universities, etc., 2018
(https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/shinkou/07021403/1412031_00001.htm) Free flight ticket
Free preparatory
education

Living Expenses Payment period Entire period of international study One year or six months While participating in program

Graduate, undergraduate, college Graduate, undergraduate, college Graduate, undergraduate, college of

• Guide for living expenses Applicable students
of technology, professional training of technology, professional training technology, and professional training
Living expenses are more expensive in large cities. Example: 100,000 yen in Tokyo college, Japanese studies, and teacher college, and Japanese language college students studying in Japan for
training students students one year or less
Commute
5,000 yen Grade-based

Hobbies, Household
entertainment Student Private Rice (5 kg) income-based
Miscellaneous
6,000 yen expenses dormitory apartment 2,364 yen Document screening, written
28,000 yen 53,300 yen Screening process Document screening Document screening
7,000 yen examination, and interview
Insurance, Food
Number available Unpublished Around 7,000 students Around 5,000 students
medical expenses 27,000 yen
3,000 yen

89,000 yen Ramen noodles Apples (1 kg) Cola (500 ml) For inquiries and The Japanese embassy or consulate
The school you intend to study
570 yen 560 yen 95 yen in your country or the school The school you currently attend
Utilities per month applications: you currently attend
at in Japan
(electricity / gas /
water) 7,000 yen

Method 2 Method 3
Coffee at a café Movie ticket Taxi (4 km)
Rent 500 yen 1,500 yen 1,460 yen
Apply to a local government or private Apply for an on-campus scholarship or use a
34,000 yen foundation for a scholarship tuition fee exemption / reduction system

Reference: L
 ifestyle Survey of References: P
 ortal Site of Official Statistics of Japan, Retail price survey (Special • Apply after joining a school in Japan. For university X For university Y
Privately-Financed wards of Tokyo, Jan 2020)
• There are many specifications for home country, school,
International Students 2017 (JASSO) Dormitory expenses from Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center
and field of study.
Tuition fee exemption 82,000 yen per month
Private apartment expenses are for a 20 m² apartment
(50% or 100%) scholarship
• Available to a few to a few hundred students each year.
(for four years)
Search from the site below.
For For
Working part-time as a student
Students with excellent Students with excellent
grades who would have entrance examination
People with a residency Local government or private
Be careful of international student agents foundation scholarships difficulty in paying fees results
status of “Student” who
apply for “Permission to
who emphasize that you can https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/ for financial reasons

Engage in Activity other than “earn a lot of money as a student in Japan”! planning/by-style/pamphlet/

that Permitted by the Status

The average hourly wage For inquiries and applications For inquiries and applications
of Residence Previously You can receive 3,000 yen per hour.
Granted,” may engage in is 900 yen.
part-time work for up to The school you will study
The school you will study at
28 hours per week. As an international student you can Students working part-time can expect at or the relevant group
earn 300,000 yen a month. to earn around 59,000 yen per month.

6 7
 Companies wanting the best and brightest people regardless of
nationality are on the rise, and there is an increase in hiring of
international students. Come and work in Japan in the future!

Work in Japan Interview

From international student to employee

Top 10 occupations for international students
Number of people changing from “Student” resident status I want to bring I could focus
to one of the working resident statuses Rank Job description Japan’s civil on my studies thanks
(Number of engineering technology to the scholarship!
people)
1 Translation and interpretation to Rwanda! Ioannis Gkolfinopoulos
Tokyo Institute of Technology,
30,000 Rumanzi Hypolite
Graduate School of Civil Engineering
2 Retail and sales NIT (KOSEN), Maizuru College Master’s Course

25,000 25,942 3 International business My country faces the problem that, even if we want to
improve infrastructure, we lack skilled architects and
I think being free from financial worries while in Japan
is the key to focusing on my research, so I applied
Technological development engineers. Therefore I came to study in Japan, known for a MEXT scholarship. The amount of support and
4 (data processing) for its high levels of education and engineering, so I guidance given to students at Japanese universities is
20,000 can take my skills home and contribute to my country’s really impressive. On the other hand, the crush of the
5 International trade development. I was worried about living in Japan and had rush-hour commute is quite surprising! Japan is a unique
a few troubles, but there was always someone around country where tradition and technology coexist. I think
to help me out and I’m so grateful to them. Now I’m westerners are likely to experience a lot of culture shock
15,000 6 Design studying civil engineering at a college of technology and coming here, so learning about the language and culture
plan to advance to university, if possible going on to a is very important. The MEXT scholarship guarantees a
Technological development master’s degree. My dream is to create a construction smooth life as a student, so why not give it a try yourself.
7 (outside data processing) company back home, and teach the skills and culture I
10,000 learned in Japan to the younger generation.
8,586 8 Public relations and advertising

5,000 9 Education

10
Q&A
Accounting
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Reference: “ Employment status in Japanese firms of
international students 2018” (Immigration
(Year) Services Agency of Japan)

Q. I have attended a Japanese school. Can I apply to

Q. Please tell me about the process of

Looking for work

Interview the international student entrance exam? entering graduate school.

Job hunting in Japan is quite unique. A. Whether you can take the international student
entrance exam or not is decided by the school. Those
A. Check the entry requirements, create a research proposal,
and confirm what documents need to be submitted.
Therefore, it is essential that international
students seeking employment begin Learn Japanese language and who have graduated from a Japanese high school, Generally, you must find an instructor yourself. Some
preparations well in advance. Use the sites corporate culture to become a and those who hold both Japanese and another institutions require you to have informal acceptance before
nationality should inquire about the entrance exam application, so confirm this with your chosen institution as
below to begin gathering information. must-have employee! before applying to the school. soon as possible.

Job Hunting Guide for Open for Austin

International Students
(JASSO)
https://www.jasso.
go.jp/en/study_j/job/
guide.html
Professionals (JETRO)
https://www.jetro.
go.jp/en/hrportal/
I came to Japan in 2012 and entered the University of Tokyo to study
political science after completing a preparatory course. I now work
as a freelance programmer. Q. How should I look for and confirm Q. Please tell me about the high school international
exchange program and scholarship.
Although it depends on your chosen major, Japanese university the application period, necessary
offers a lot of freedom, and you can even take part in a variety of documents, and entrance
extracurricular activities such as internships. Additionally, thanks to
examination?
the new graduate hiring system, Japan is the easiest country in which
to shape your first career among advanced countries. To succeed in
A. The groups below offer support for high school international
exchange.
Japan, rather than becoming Japanese, you should make the most
of your unique strengths as a foreigner. The language skills learned
through studying and working in Japan as well as the understanding
A. Details of the application process and entrance
examination can be found on the school’s website
• AFS Intercultural Programs
URL: https://afs.org
Note: Use the “Find AFS in your Country” function to inquire at your local
of this unique culture are sure to become irreplaceable strength. or admission guidelines. Once you have decided
office.
If you want to become a sought-after employee in this world of on a school, check their website or admission
advancing globalization, I really recommend studying and working • YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING
guidelines.
in Japan. URL: http://yfu.or.jp

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 Study in Japan Fair
A rare chance to meet and
speak with school staff in
charge of the schools.
Study in Japan Fair
https://www.studyinjapan.
go.jp/en/other/event/
Study in Japan website
Search by subject, medium of instruction, location and more
to find your perfect school!
JASSO International Offices
At each of the five JASSO international
offices, visit us in person, or contact us by
telephone or email. We also have various
reading materials regarding studying in Japan.
1016/3, 10F Serm-mit Tower, 159 Asok-
Montri Rd., Bangkok 10110 THAILAND
Tel : (+66) 2- 661-7057
E-mail : info@jeic-bangkok.org
Web : https://www.jeic-bangkok.org/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Thailand Thailand
#702 Garden Tower, 84 Yulgok-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul 03131 REPUBLIC
OF KOREA
Tel : (+82) 2-765-0141
E-mail : jasso@jasso.or.kr
Web : http://www.jasso.or.kr/
Korea Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Korea
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[Host countries and regions]
Taiwan (Taipei, Kaohsiung), China (Hong Kong), Thailand
(Chiang Mai, Bangkok), Korea (Seoul, Busan), Indonesia
(Surabaya, Jakarta), China (Beijing, Shanghai), Vietnam
(Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi), Malaysia (Penang, Kuala Lumpur)
Note: Planned as of April 2020
Study in Japan website
https://www.
studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
We truly believe that everyone can find
Jakarta Summitmas Tower II, 2nd
Floor Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav.
61-62, Jakarta 12190 INDONESIA something worthwhile by studying in Japan.
Tel : (+62) 21-252-1912
E-mail : info@jasso.or.id
Web : http://www.jasso.or.id/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jASSO.
Indonesia indonesia
Japan Student Services Organization
(JASSO) provides the following support [Edited and published by]
4th Floor, CornerStone Building, 16
Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi,
programs for international students Independent Administrative Institution, Japan
VIETNAM Student Services Organization (JASSO)
Tel : (+84) 24-3710-0226
Information Services Division, Student
E-mail : info@jasso.org.vn • Scholarship provision
Web : http://www.jasso.org.vn/ Exchange Department
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jASSO.
Vietnam Vietnam • Running Examination for Japanese 2-2-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8630
University Admission (for international E-mail : infoja@jasso.go.jp
A-7-5, Northpoint Offices, Mid Valley students) (EJU) Tel : (+81) 3-5520-6111
City, No.1, Medan Syed Putra Utara, Web : https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/ja/
59200 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA • Collection and provision of information
Tel : (+60) 3-2287-0812
E-mail : enquiry@studyinjapan.org.my
on studying abroad
Web : http://www.studyinjapan.org.my/
Malaysia
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jASSO.
Malaysia
• Japanese language education
• Housing support
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